Stihl 2015 SA Mtb Cup Series – The Battle of Beukes and Hatherly

This weekend brings to KwaZulu-Natal not only superb weather, but also the last round of the Stihl 2015 SA MTB Cup Series at Cascades MTB Park, Pietermaritzburg, from 27-28 June.

On the top of the XCO points log lies Kargo Pro MTB Team rider, Alan Hatherly, in a tie with Scott Factory Racing Team powered by LCB rider, Matthys Beukes, and Team RECM rider, James Reid. Reid is currently in Europe and will not be taking part in the event. Hatherly took the win at the third SA Cup at Mankele MTB Park in April and is positive about this weekend. “I’m really looking forward to the final round of the SA XCO Cup Series and couldn’t have asked for a better venue – with Cascades being on somewhat home soil,” he said.

The KZN-born rider could have a home-ground advantage as he knows the track well, but that isn’t always the case on the day of the race. “The course at Cascades always tends to suit me with it being hilly as well as technical, giving me the best of both worlds,” he said.
“After riding the route earlier in the week I got super amped to race on Saturday already, as the course is top-class as always thanks to Nick Floros,” he added.“I’ve managed to get a solid building block in prior to this weekend, mainly in preparation for the World Cup in Switzerland (the following weekend after this SA Cup), but I’m sure that will play a positive role this weekend.”

With one of the most exciting points logs in the history of the XCO Cup, the unpredictability of the outcome is hot on the tongues of MTB fans and by Saturday afternoon, the overall series win will have been claimed.

The DHI event will be taking place on Sunday 28 June, and spectators are encouraged to bring family and friends to watch some of their favourites compete for the SA MTB Cup Series crown.
Entries for the last round of the 2015 STHIL SA MTB Cup Series are now closed. Late entries will be accepted at registration with a nominal charge of R50 in addition to the entry fee.

Matthys Beukes (Scott Factory Racing Team powered by LCB), who is tie on the points log with Kargo Pro MTB Team rider, Alan Hatherly, will be competing for the series win at the fourth round of the 2015 Stihl SA MTB Cup XCO at Cascades, Pietermaritzburg, on 27-28 June. Photo: Andrew McFadden/Boogs Photography

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The Meander Chronicle covers news and events happening in and around the broader KZN Midlands area, as well as issues further afield which may affect or interest people in the Midlands area. The Chronicle team consists of Phillippa Gordon and Caroline Richter - all based in the Midlands and passionate about this part of the country.